Jun
18
2008
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Earthquakes, Stabbings and Speeches

There was a pretty large earthquake in northern Honshu on Saturday (Honshu being the mainland). Measuring seven point-something on the Ricther scale, it’s killed nine people to date. Now, way up here in Northern Hokkaido, I didn’t hear so much as a rumble, let alone a full-blown shaking house. A friend in Aomori who was in range of the quake said that, at first, she wondered why her door was shaking from the wind, and then realised the entire house was shaking. No damage or anything untoward. She lives near the outskirts of the earthquake range and Japanese building regulations are formed with earthquakes very much in mind.

Of course, me being oblivious, I didn’t even think to call home and say that my place was still standing, as my geographical location is pretty much as far away as possible from the quake site, excepting perhaps Okinawa way down south. Of course for those NOT living in Japan, there’s always worry, so the concern is understandable and appreciated! It seems the Stupart siblings are becoming notorious for being ambivalent toward natural disaster. After my brother’s communicative lapse in Malaysia during the tidal waves, you’d think I’d have learned something!

In tune with Japanese current affairs, a man went on a killing spree in Tokyo, running through a crowd in a rented truck and then stabbing close to a score of people with a hunting knife. This has created a complete stir in the news community, and Akihabara, the district where the crime took place, is now swarming with police, tearful mourners and scrambling news crews. Of course SA has seen that many people murdered in half a day, but here it’s a relatively shocking thing to happen, thus the public outrage and mourning.

As a (potentially unrelated, but you can never be too sure) side-note, the history teacher has shaven his head completely, which means he now looks almost exactly like the knife-stabber guy from the TV. Right down to the deadpan expression and wide glasses he has adopted. He never says a word to anyone either. It’s always the quiet ones o_o …

On a happier, slightly more nerve-wracking note, I am more than likely going to have to deliver a short speech to the kiddiwinks of the elementary schools, as well as my work colleagues, as a sort of parting message before I leave next month. In Japanese nogal. I have no idea what or how I might go about this, but I think I might have to make full use of the few Japanese friends I have made here and their translation-services! I don’t quite know what I’ll say, but it shall be suitably pertinent and poignant. Something about education, and English being a ticket to see the world or something like that. Or perhaps a nice reflection on the transitory nature of youth, followed by a witty quote. Or maybe I’ll just say that I enjoyed the sushi, thanks for the wacky television, see you next time! I’ll work on it…

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